SAFMA flays violence against journalists

Karachi: The South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) Sindh chapter has expressed concern over an increase in violence against journalists in Pakistan and has condemned the incidents of torture, murder and disappearance of journalists and the recent ban on the transmission of Sindh TV by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA).
The association’s Sindh chapter’s general body met on Sunday with its President Amir Mehmood in the chair and condemned the illegal detention of Sindhi journalist Meherdin Marri. Marri had recently been released by law enforcement agencies following protests by journalist organisations.

The meeting also demanded the immediate lifting of the ban on Sindh TV. Mehmood said SAFMA would launch a practical struggle for the freedom of the press. He said the body would organise training programmes to enhance journalists’ professional skills and capabilities.
SAFMA Sindh General Secretary Sabihuddin Ghousi stressed the need to highlight media-related issues effectively. The meeting challenged the government’s claim of a free press in Pakistan saying that the claim was not true. The body also elected provincial SAFMA office bearers. Mehmood and Ghousi were elected president and general secretary of the SAFMA Sindh chapter. Other elected office bearers are: Senior Vice President Zahida Hina, Vice President (Karachi) Rehana Hakim, Vice President (interior Sindh) Iqbal Mallah, Joint Secretary (Karachi) Faisal Aziz Khan, Joint Secretary (interior Sindh) Mahesh Kumar, and Finance Secretary Ghulam Nabi Chandio. Online.
Source: Daily Times
Date:11/13/2006